MP Ghubaya meets 19 hospitalised children after Leptospirosis outbreak; All stable, probe into contaminated water ordered
Ferozepur, March 2, 2025: All the 19 children admitted to Civil Hospital after water borne infection in village Hazara Singh Wala in Mamdot Block of Ferozepur are stable, and a probe has been ordered into contaminated water sources. A suspected outbreak of leptospirosis linked to contaminated drinking water has claimed the life of one child from the same village. The administration has stepped up the action, and the medical teams are working around the clock.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament Sher Singh Ghubaya along with Parminder Singh Pinki, former MLA also visited the Civil Hospital to meet the affected children and expressed serious concern over the alleged negligence in the village water supply system. Expressing concern over the death of one child from the same village due to similar symptoms, he urged the government to conduct comprehensive medical tests of all residents, including children, youth, and even livestock, to ascertain the full extent of the disease. He also demanded that treatment be provided free of cost and that special consideration be given to school-going children, some of whom have examinations underway.
Civil Surgeon Dr Rajeev Prashar confirmed that the disease has been identified as leptospirosis, a bacterial infection commonly transmitted through water contaminated with urine or faecal matter of infected animals such as cattle, rats, dogs, or poultry. He informed that initial water samples taken from the village had failed safety tests, while further reports are awaited. Out of the total population surveyed, 32 individuals have been found affected, including 19 children admitted to the hospital. One adult case has also been reported. All admitted children are under close observation and are stable, but will require time to recover. Fortunately, no case of multi-organ failure has been reported so far.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Lindiya, said that door-to-door medical screening has been conducted, chlorination tablets distributed, and clean drinking water is being supplied round the clock. Medical teams have been deployed 24x7, and leakages in the water supply system are being repaired. Fresh water samples have been sent for testing. An inquiry has been initiated into the incident, and responsibility will be fixed once the report is finalised.